India grants military operational freedom after Kashmir attack

High-level security meeting authorises tetaliation

Modi held a closed-door meeting with military and security leaders during which he granted "complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response to the terror attack," according to the source, who was not authorised to speak publicly.

Global concern over escalating tensions

The decision comes amid growing international concern, with nations from China to the United States urging both nuclear-armed nations to exercise restraint as tensions escalate.

Cross-border gunfire and drone incident

The Indian army reported exchanges of gunfire with Pakistani forces across the Line of Control (LoC) for the fifth consecutive night. Pakistan’s military has not confirmed the firing but claimed to have shot down an Indian drone for violating its airspace—though no date or further details were provided. India did not comment on the drone claim.

Fallout from Kashmir attack

Tensions have soared following the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. India has blamed the assault on Pakistan-backed militants, a charge Islamabad has denied. Since then, both countries have engaged in border skirmishes and diplomatic expulsions.

Modi vows justice and retaliation

Following the attack, Modi vowed to hunt down those responsible:

“India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backer… We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” he declared.

International mediation and diplomatic appeals

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Tuesday, offering his "Good Offices" to help de-escalate the situation.
Sharif, in response, urged Guterres to counsel India toward restraint while affirming Pakistan’s readiness to defend its sovereignty.

Kashmir: A longstanding flashpoint

Kashmir remains a contentious region divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, with both countries claiming it in full. A separatist insurgency has gripped Indian-administered Kashmir since 1989.

Manhunt for attack suspects

Indian police have released wanted posters for three suspects—two Pakistanis and one Indian—allegedly tied to the banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba. A bounty of 2 million rupees ($23,500) has been announced for information leading to their capture.

Historical parallels and regional mediation offers

The current situation draws parallels to the 2019 Pulwama attack, which prompted Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan. Iran and Saudi Arabia have offered to mediate, while U.S. President Donald Trump expressed confidence the issue would be resolved "one way or another."